Page 66 of The Sweet Part
She takes off her knit hat, her hair askew. “Hi, May, mind if I come in?”
Well, thisisa very different tone from her last visit. I step back to let her in.
She exhales sharply. “Is Sophie here?”
I cross my arms. “No, she’s on a playdate.”
“I like her. She’s a firecracker.”
“Thank you.”
She looks around at everything but me. Finally, she says, “I just wanted to apologize for warning you away from Mason. It was wrong of me to come between the two of you. He’s a grown man. He knows what he wants.”
“Okay,” I say slowly.Did Mason not tell her we broke up?“Well, thank you for coming. I was just in the middle—”
“It’s just that my boy is so miserable now. His dad says he’s never seen him so low at work. He’s making stupid mistakes; he’s got dark circles under his eyes, barely smiles. That’s just not Mason.”
At my silence, she goes on, “He couldn’t stop talking about you and Sophie. I thought he was just trying to sell my husband and me on the idea, but now I see he was truly happy and in love for probably the first time ever. You’re everything I’d want for him. Strong, fiercely protective, and kind. He’s told us what a great mom you are to Sophie.”
My eyes get hot. “So now you’re here to tell me I should be with Mason?”
She speaks in a somber tone. “I’m not here to tell you. I’m here to beg you. I don’t know why exactly you broke up, but he loves you. Please. Talk to him. You can work this out. His dad and I will support you as a couple one hundred and ten percent.”
I shake my head. “Madison, your interference has had zero effect on our relationship. This has always been between me and Mason. I appreciate your apology, though.”
She studies me. “You have dark circles under your eyes too.”
“Thank you. Goodbye.” I open the door for her.
She sighs and steps outside.
I close the door and cross my arms tightly, hugging myself. It hurts to talk about Mason, hurts to think about him. A tear escapes, and I dash it away. Time will heal this hurt, though I fear I’ll never be able to completely get over him. I know from experience that’s what love does to you. The person gets into your heart and becomes part of you.
I’m strong. I can deal with this loss. I walk to the sofa and punch a pillow; then I burst into tears. I’m not sure love is ever worth all this pain.
* * *
Mason
I’m rethinking my grand-gesture plan. It’s a huge risk, and if I fall on my face, there will be witnesses. I took off work today to put it all together. Now that it’s done, I’m second-guessing myself. I pace around the living room, consider whom I can trust to talk it over with, and the only person who comes to mind is the guy with the legendary grand gesture—May’s dad. It worked for him, and his wife still talks about it. I have to know what he did so I know if I went too far.
I ring the bell at his house. It’s afternoon, but he’s retired. He answers the door in a jogging outfit with AirPods in his ears.
“Hey, Mason, I’m heading out for a run. Liz, May, and Sophie just left to shoe shop for Sophie. It’s a team effort for May’s sanity.”
“I can imagine.”
“Sophie has very unusual tastes. You have to be practical for everyday wear.” He steps out on the porch, shutting the door behind him. “I’ll let May know you stopped by.”
He sounds casual. Does he know May and I broke up?
“Actually, I’m here to talk to you.”
His brows shoot up. “Me?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, come on, let’s run and talk.”
